Vang Vieng: My Vientiane

This depends on the traveler's convenience.

The train departs from Hua Lamphong at approximately 7:30 PM and arrives in Nong Khai around 9:00 AM. This is a free train service in Thailand.

Upon arrival in Nong Khai, there are shared taxis ("songthaews") available in front of the train station that can take you to the Nong Khai Bus Terminal. Alternatively, if you are traveling with a group, you can opt for a tuk-tuk, which can be more cost-effective when shared.

At the bus terminal, there are signs indicating the cross-border route to Laos. You can choose to travel to Vientiane or Vang Vieng. I chose to go to Vientiane first because the train to Vang Vieng had already departed. (This is a joke.)

You will need to go through immigration at the border checkpoint. Having a passport is highly recommended, as it allows you to stay in Laos for 30 days. Without a passport, you can only stay in Laos for three days and only in Vientiane. Therefore, it is best to get a passport.

The bus from Nong Khai Bus Terminal will take you to the Morning Market in Vientiane. This market also serves as a bus station with connections to various destinations. I traveled from Vientiane to Vang Vieng by taking a van that was conveniently available at the Morning Market. If you are planning to travel north, there are also buses available at the Morning Market that can take you to Vang Vieng via the northern route. However, I was concerned about arriving in Vang Vieng late at night, so I opted for the direct van from the Morning Market.

I had not secured accommodation beforehand, fearing that I wouldn't be able to find anything. However, I eventually found a budget-friendly option called Central Backpacker. (This is not an endorsement; I just happened to find it.) Other options may be available, but this is where I ended up staying.

Vang Vieng offers a wide variety of tours at different price points. Alternatively, you can choose to explore independently, which is what I did.

The next morning, I woke up at 5:00 AM to catch the sunrise, which was absolutely breathtaking. The surrounding mountains and fresh air made for a truly unforgettable experience. During my time in Vang Vieng, I visited several places, including:

• Blue Lagoon (not sure if I spelled that correctly)
• Tham Pha Hom (Pha Hom Cave)
• Nam Song River

These were the main highlights of my trip to Vang Vieng. I'm not sure what else there is to see, but I believe I covered most of the major attractions.

In the evening, I started looking for a ticket back to Vientiane. Initially, I had planned to continue to Luang Prabang, but I didn't have enough time. So, I decided to explore more of Vientiane instead.

The next morning in Vientiane, I visited a few attractions, including the mall in the city center (which didn't have very good air conditioning), Patuxai (Victory Gate), Wat Luang, and Wat Si Saket.

Additional Notes:

• 1 Lao Kip is equivalent to 240-250 Kip, depending on the exchange rate. I recommend exchanging money at your hotel for a better rate than at exchange booths.
• Don't forget to try Beerlao and Lao whiskey!
• Food in Laos is generally more expensive than in Thailand.

Overall, Laos is a country with beautiful natural landscapes and a relatively undeveloped population. I hope to visit another Asian country when I have more free time, but I'm not sure when that will be. ZZZzzz

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